June Stuff: Canicule, a Cursed Guinguette, the Right Way to Order a Beer

Too hot to think and work. Distracted by my ongoing frustration at global warming, capitalism in general, AND the over-principled vilification of moderate use of air conditioning. This will have to be quick and dirty because typing requires moving my hands, and that creates heat, and there’s too much of that in the world already. Let’s get into it.

• Probably DON’T go to Quai Sauvage Bercy. I’ve renamed it the “Porkless Pork Fyre Festival” because it’s in partnership with La Vie, but it somehow had barely any food, felt thrown together as a personality-less cash grab, and gave us the sense we were watching the World Cup under a freeway overpass, but not in a cool, edgy way. Also, what does a mediocre guinguette have to do with alternative meat in the first place? Brands need to think this stuff through.

• Instead, hit up literally any other guinguette along the Seine, or one of my personal Deep 12eme faves, Les Lionnes at Palais de la Porte Dorée, which is looking cute after a recent Aperol-sponsored facelift. While there, I danced to a blues guitarist with my toddler as the sun set, if you want a sense of the vibes.

• Had a tasty bottle of natural wine at Station La Cave, a wine store on the charming Rue Sainte-Marthe. The owner made space for us on a busy night, explained the wine, didn’t get flustered when we had trouble deciding. Definitely going back soon for orange wine in a lovely spot.

• Had the quickest of verres, cheese, and olives at Le Blainville but want to go back. It was one of those chill, drinks and small plates spots that has plenty of character without being over-engineered. Also, the cat in residence was kind enough to sit with us.

• This definitely isn’t news or a hot take, but gaddam Parc Floral is amazing. I’ve been there for the jazz festival and to hang out as an adult, but just took my 2.95 year old there for an adventurous morning, and I was astounded by how much fun we BOTH had. Biggest playground in Paris, by the way. Very low crowds the day we were there. Cafe with ice cream on-site. Tons of shade and places to picnic.

• Too Hot: Need to understand wtf is going on with these heatwaves? I felt like my reality was acknowledged by Lindsey Tramuta’s “Story du Moment: Paris is Boiling” on The New Paris Dispatch. As always, she made clear the who/what/where/when/why of it all, in the middle of a situation that is, unfortunately, complex and political. My favorite sentence: “So while air conditioning isn’t the solution, it will ultimately be one tool among many to modify the way we live and work.”

• Une Biere: Understanding why it’s so freaking hot won’t make it less hot. That’s why beer is so important. I really enjoyed this crash course in how to order a beer in France on French with Timo. Because it’s not as simple as asking for “une biere.”

• Pastis, Please: I’ve personally been keeping cool via pastis, because it’s one of the few drinks in France guaranteed to be served with ice cubes. I also have a tested but hardly scientific theory that it prevents hangovers. That said, it seems that the taste is not for everyone. Alternate way to enjoy pastis: this pastis gimlet provencal from The Dinner Party Dispatch.

Kinda Kid-Friendly: For my series of highly specific Paris recommendations, I created a list of recommendations of places to take your kids if you don’t like going to kid-focused places. Less baby cafes and family restaurants, more restaurants that happen to work well for children, if your child can handle their business.

100 MORE Tips for Living in France: I wrote my first 100 tips post soon after I arrived in 2019, and while they hold true, they are advice for beginners. The next 100 are a little more advanced; maybe more relevant if you’re staying longer than three months. Please allow my many mistakes and humiliations to shorten your learning curve.

Hold tight for a rare cross-promo: I’m offering coaching sessions to folks who have moved abroad and are navigating change in their new career, life, everything. My practice focus is typically executive or career coaching, but I thought it would be fun to throw the offer out there for any transplants who might feel clunky, lost, or frustrated, and who would like to work on feeling… not that. If that sounds like you or a loved one, feel free to reach out for a discovery call.